428 WOOD WARBLERS 



685. Wilsonia pusilla ( Wils.). Wilson Warbler. 



Similar to pileolata, but not so bright ; wings and tail shorter, bill broader 

 and darker colored. Male : length (skins) 4.05-4.4.5, wing 2.09- 

 2.04, tail 1.83-1.97, bill .28-35. Female: length (skins) 4.10- 

 4.45, wing 2.0.5-2.17, tail 1.81-1.95, bill .31-.35. 



Distribution. — Breeds from the Hudson Bay region and Lake 

 Fig. 538. Athabasca south to Maine and higher Rocky Mountains ; mi- 

 grates to eastern Mexico and Central America. 



Nest. — Imbedded in ground in swampy woods, made of leaves and 

 grasses, lined with finer grasses and hairs. Eggs : 4 or 5, white or creamy, 

 speckled with reddish brown and purplish. 

 Food. — Largely winged insects. 



685a. W. p. pileolata (Pall.). Pileolated Warbler.^ 



Adult male. — Crown glossy blue black ; back bright yellowish olive 

 green ; under parts vivid yellow ; forehead often orange yellow. Adult 

 female : similar, but crown patch often wanting. Young : like adult 

 male, but black of crown nearly obscured by olive wash. Male : length 

 (skins) 4.13-4.49, wing 2.17-2.36, tail 1.85-2.05, bill .28-.35. Female: 

 length (skins) 4.13-4.57. wing 2.15-2.24, tail 1.87-1.97, biU .30-.35. 



Distribution. — Breeds from the Great Basin to the Pacific, and north 

 to Alaska, migrating through western Texas to Costa Rica. 



Nest. — In willow thickets and among blackberry vines, on or near the 

 ground, made of willow leaves, weed stems, and grasses. Eggs : 2 to 4, 

 creamy, spotted with reddish and lilac over entire surface or around larger 

 end. 



Seen in migration when the dainty pileolated warbler has plenty 

 of leisure, his airy ways are peculiarly charming. He usually hunts 

 iu low bushes, and as he suddenly appears through a chink in the 

 dull chaparral wall the intense brilliant yellow of the little beauty 

 set off by his shining jet black crown gives you a thrill of surprise 

 and delight. 



He is winningly trustful and will come close to you and with 

 wings hanging turn his head and look up at you from under his 

 jaunty cap, then whip along with a jerk of his tail. As he goes he 

 stops to run up a twig, leans down to peck under a leaf, flutters 

 under a spray like a hummingbird, and then flies off singing his 

 happy song. 



On his breeding grounds in the mountain meadows when feeding 

 young he has much to occupy his mind, and flies back and forth 

 through his willow^ thicket in a preoccupied way, giving his flat 

 chip and inspecting you with an anxious parental air in passing. 



686. Wilsonia canadensis {Linn.). Canadla.n Warbler. 



Adult male. — Under parts yellow ; throat bordered by black lines, and 



1 Wilsonia pusilla chryseola Ridgway. Golden Pileolated Warbler, 



'L\\s.e pileolata, but sliglitly smaller and inuch brighter colored. 



Distribution. — Pacific coast district of United States and British Columbia, breeding 

 from British Columbia to southern California ; migrating to eastern Oregon, Arizona, 

 Lower California, and northern Mexico. (,£irds oj North and Middle America, ii. 714.) 



